Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-05
DAILY HERALD.
A LOOK AT A BOOM.
south CalirOrnia,s Development.
Causes of New Growth.

Causes of New Growth.
For the last three years the South
ern California newspapers have been
filed with glowing accounts of ma
terial progress in that portion OF the
State. The latest issues OF some OF
the more responsible journals have
now begun to deal with facts and
figures, which Indicate remarkable
growth of the towns and rapid de-
velopment OF the country. The
movement is locally known as a
"boom." 1t certainly is that, but
appears to be something better and
more staple than a "boom." The
truth is, that the climatic advantages
OF Southern California have at last
made it famous. Thousands of peo-
pie have poured into the country be-
cause it afforded them home where
they were sure of climate that would
prolong their existence. 1t is the
sudden adoption of Southern Califor-
MIA by actual settlers that has brought
about its rapid advancement. And
the reason why the so-called "boom"
has not collapsed is that people are
still fiocking to the sunlit valleys and
to the cities that know no winters
cold nor summers heat.
Improved communications have
made this easy. Southern California
is now the scene of active railroad
building. A few years ago Los An
geles was dependent upon one railroad
for communication with the East and
points in California San Diego was
even worse Oft, with no railroad at all.
The Santa Fe road has now reached
Los Angeles and San Diego, and
branches OF the system have been built
and are building through all the most
important vulleys, forming a network
of roads over the entire country. The
Southern Pacific has built a branch
road which connects Los Angeles with
Santa Barbara has erected new depot
buildings in Los Angeles, and Is
constructing Il coast line towards
San Diego. The railroads have been
liberal purchasers of land and heavy
subscribers to all new improvements.
In itself, Southern California is a
region Of many attractions and much
worth. The soil is rich and highly
productive, and the climate nearly
perfect The country is the natural
home of almost every vine, shrub and
tree and there is practically no winter.
The only two seasons are wet and dry
ones the rains falling at intervals
from November to April, and never
during all the other months. In for
mer years one of the greatest draw
backs to cultivation of the soil was the
lack OF water. Now, however, the sys-
tenn of irrigation has been brought to
such state that the question is no
longer troblesome. The mountains
are full of streams, and these being
brought to reservoirs, supply the de-
mand OF the farmers. The pictur-
esqueness of Southern Cali
fornia are familiar. The
country bears close resemblance to
parts OF Southern France, and is q
land of extended views and bright
colored flowers. As cultivation in
creases the valleys gain in beauty.
Many that were once barren and
sandy are now veritable gardens,
with villages set in the midst of
orange groves and houses surrounded
by lawns and flowers. The temper
ature is always pleasant and COM
Portable. The sea tempers the sum-
mer sunshine with the cooling
breezes, and mountains are natures
refrigerators.
Los Angeles, owing to railroad IA
cilit;es and an advantageous situation,
has advanced more rapidly than any
of the other cities of Southern Califor-
mia. The population of the city in 1880
was but IL 900; to-day it is nearer
60,00O The monthly land sales are
large, amounting to $41 ,993.579 dur
ing the six months from January to
July l, 1887. For June, 3470 deeds
were recorded, conveying IA value of
$21, ,491 ,062. In San Diego the sales
are correspondingly large. New towns
around the large centers are rapidly
springing up. Pasadena, Pomona
and Riverside are already famous.
In San Bernardino the same progress
is noted. The place is fast increasing
its population and land has doubled
in value in six months. Still people
are coming in, and the country is
fast becoming settled up.-[New York
Evening Post.